In a thread I have been reading through today, the subject of what constitutes the Church came up, and there appears to be differing views concerning this. For my own part, I believe that the church being called out in this present time is that of (Eph 1:22-23)
'And hath put all things under His feet,
and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.'
Do you think differently?
What constitutes the Church for me would be the proverbs woman. Christ is the proverbs woman. We(His body) make up the proverbs woman. It is not an individual...but a whole (Christ and her (the church)). I hear today individuals say they are called to stand in the gap...to stand in the breach or gulf that is sin. This fixed gulf is spoken of that separates the rich man from Lazarus(Spirit) in Abraham's bosom. We have been restored to the Father through the blood of the Lamb. There is already a body(whole) laid over that gulf...it is His. Our head which is Christ and His body.
Proverbs 31:7-31 KJV
[7] Let him drink, (of living waters)
and forget his poverty, (having treasure in heaven)
and remember his misery no more. (where He shall wipe away tears)
[8] Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. (Speak life)
[9] Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and
plead the cause of the poor and needy. (Which our savior has done)
[10] Who can find a virtuous woman? (Jesus Christ because He has redeemed Her.)
for her
price is far above rubies.
[11] The heart of her husband(the Lord)
doth safely trust in her(His body), so that he shall have
no need of spoil. (as with the Pharisees)
[12] She will do
him good and not evil all the days of her life.
[13] She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
[14] She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
[15] She
riseth also
while it is yet night, and
giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. (never to hunger or thirst again)
[16] She considereth a field, and
buyeth it He did this) with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. (He did this)
[17] She
girdeth her loins with strength, and
strengtheneth her arms. (His strength, His arms)
[18] She perceiveth that her merchandise
is good:
her candle goeth not out by night.
[19] She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
[20] She
stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea,
she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
[21] She is not afraid of the snow for her household: (his hand was leprous as snow/Miriam became leprous (white as snow)
for all
her household are
clothed with scarlet. (the blood of the Lamb, the crimsom worm that dieth)
[22] She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
[23] Her
husband is
known in the gates, when he
sitteth among the elders of the land.
[24] She maketh
fine linen, and selleth it ;
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. [25] Strength and honour are her clothing; and
she shall rejoice in time to come. (Rejoice...boast in the Lord always)
[26] She openeth her mouth
with wisdom; and in her tongue
is the law of kindness.
[27] She looketh well
to the ways of her household, and eateth
not the bread of idleness.
[28]
Her children arise up, and
call her blessed;
her husband also , and
he praiseth her. (the Beatitudes)
[29] Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
[30] Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord , she shall be praised.
[31] Give her of the fruit of her hands; and
let her own works praise her in the gates. (the
work of the Spirit "in Christ" will praise Her(His body) in that narrow way)
(Matthew 25)
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat(spiritual and everlasting): I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink(waters of life flowing): I was a stranger, and ye took me into your household/brethren)
Naked, and ye clothed me(with fine linen): I was sick(broken), and ye visited me: I was in prison(captive in darkness), and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Many will say no it is all literal food and clothing to the poor and needy. Yes, to a point but it is also Spiritual. That treasure laid up in heaven where it can't be stolen or moth eaten. Our sight is set there, not here.
